Anderson seeking 3rd straight Limited Sportsman crown in 'one of the biggest races' of his career at SoBo

SOUTH BOSTON, VA. — "This is definitely one of the biggest races of my career coming up this weekend."

Bruce Anderson is quick to say he is just a few days away from one of the biggest Limited Sportsman Division races he's ever competed in at South Boston Speedway. Anderson, a four-time winner in 2008, and Lee Pulliam, who has six wins this year, head into Saturday night racing action at America's Hometown Track deadlocked atop the Limited Sportsman standings on the final night of points racing for the season.

Despite the fact that Anderson has claimed back-to-back division crowns, the two-time defending division champion, admitted this week that he was a bit anxious about the 50-lap shootout, which will be one of the featured attractions of the Embarq presents Sunoco 150 Saturday night at America's Hometown Track.

"I'm going to be completely honest and tell you that this is probably the most nervous I have ever been about a race," Anderson said. "But I can also tell you that I feed off that nervousness and I think it makes me better."

The first of four races in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series program will get the green flag at 7 p.m.

There's no doubt that Anderson and Pulliam have been the dominant drivers in the division throughout 2008. And, there's no doubt that there's been some heated moments between the two as well.

"Me and Lee have raced each other all year and we've definitely had our share of disagreements," Anderson said. "There's been a few cases where I've seen something one way and he hasn't exactly had the same thoughts I have had."

One of those moments came in June when the two drivers got together coming out of turn four racing for the victory. More recently, the two got together again Aug. 16 during the first of two 50-lap races. Pulliam received a black flag for the altercation and finished 11th in the race. Anderson had to settle for a seventh place run in the event.

Earlier this week, Pulliam said if he had not received the black flag, which he didn't believe he deserved, he would likely have the points crown locked up heading into Saturday's race.

Anderson, on the other hand, said Pulliam's memory did not include some other key events of the season that have played a role in the championship chase.

"You know, he failed to mention that on July 3 we led every lap of that 100 lap race until the last lap and wound up finishing ninth," Anderson said of the event in which a distributor broke in his car on the 99th lap of the race.

"He also didn't mention that night [April 26] when we broke a wheel [and finished ninth]," Anderson added. "I won the first race that night and was leading the second one before that happened. You know I could easily say that if it weren't for some bad luck, some mechanical failures, that I'd be sitting here with a pretty good lead myself heading into this last race.

"I just hope it comes down to racing Saturday night," Anderson continued. "As long as it comes down to racing and nothing else, I will be happy if I win it and I'll shake his hand if he wins it. I just hope it comes down to racing. Too much hard work by a lot of people goes into these cars for it not to be decided that way."

Wayne Ramsey, a five-time winner this season, heads into the 150-lap race for the Barkhouser Late Model Stock Car Division with a 31-point lead over four-time winner Justin Johnson. Ramsey moved closer to securing his first NASCAR Whelen All American Series crown on Aug. 30 with a victory.

The Late Model field on Saturday night is also expected to include former NASCAR Whelen All Series national champion Philip Morris, who is in the midst of another national championship bid this year.

The champion will also be crowned in the Budweiser Pure Stock Division Saturday night. Joe Allred leads the title chase by 21 points over Courtney Crosby. Rounding out racing action on Saturday will be an event for the Yellow Book USA Modifieds. The rain date for Saturday's event will be Sunday, Sept. 14.

Pit gates will open Saturday at 1 p.m. with practice for all divisions beginning at 2:15 p.m. and continuing through 3:45 p.m. Grandstand gates will open at 5 p.m. and qualifying time trials will get cranked up at 5:15 p.m.

Tickets are priced at $10 for adults. Youth, ages 7-12, will be admitted for $5 and children, ages 6 and under, will be admitted free. All youth must be accompanied by a paying adult to receive discounted admission.

For more information, phone the track at (434) 572-4947 or toll free at 1-877-440-1540.